Socceroos

Sydney (AFP) – New Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk said on Thursday he has set his sights on taking Australia beyond the group stages of the World Cup, but warned it “will not be easy”.

The Dutchman was appointed last week after the sudden departure of Ange Postecoglou in November, with Football Federation Australia (FFA) citing his prior experience, including taking the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, as a key deciding factor.

Sydney (AFP) – New Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk said on Thursday he has set his sights on taking Australia beyond the group stages of the World Cup, but warned it “will not be easy”.

The Dutchman was appointed last week after the sudden departure of Ange Postecoglou in November, with Football Federation Australia (FFA) citing his prior experience, including taking the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, as a key deciding factor.

Sydney (AFP) – Bert van Marwijk was tipped to achieve “great things” with Australia on Thursday as he was given the job of taking the Socceroos to the World Cup, following Ange Postecoglou’s sudden departure.

The Dutchman, who took the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, had been one of the leading foreign candidates to take on the short-term coaching stint.

Sydney (AFP) – Bert van Marwijk was tipped to achieve “great things” with Australia on Thursday as he was given the job of taking the Socceroos to the World Cup, following Ange Postecoglou’s sudden departure.

The Dutchman, who took the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, had been one of the leading foreign candidates to take on the short-term coaching stint.

Sydney (AFP) – Captain Mile Jedinak was on Wednesday named in an extended Australia squad for next month’s two-leg World Cup play-off against Honduras with Bristol City defender Bailey Wright also returning from injury.

The Socceroos face home-and-away clashes against the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF federation for a spot at next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

Sydney (AFP) – Captain Mile Jedinak was on Wednesday named in an extended Australia squad for next month’s two-leg World Cup play-off against Honduras with Bristol City defender Bailey Wright also returning from injury.

The Socceroos face home-and-away clashes against the fourth-placed team from the CONCACAF federation for a spot at next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

Sydney (AFP) – Graham Arnold and hardman Kevin Muscat were named as potential Australia coaches on Thursday after Ange Postecoglou failed to allay fears he’ll quit even if the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup.

Postecoglou declined to confirm or deny reports Wednesday that he planned to walk, either before or after the Socceroos face Honduras in a critical home-and-away play-off next month for a place at the 2018 Russia tournament.

Sydney (AFP) – Graham Arnold and hardman Kevin Muscat were named as potential Australia coaches on Thursday after Ange Postecoglou failed to allay fears he’ll quit even if the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup.

Postecoglou declined to confirm or deny reports Wednesday that he planned to walk, either before or after the Socceroos face Honduras in a critical home-and-away play-off next month for a place at the 2018 Russia tournament.

Malacca (Malaysia) (AFP) – Australian players and media slammed the referee after Syria’s controversial late penalty dented their hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup following a 1-1 play-off draw in Malacca.

The Socceroos remain in the box seat ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in Sydney, where the eventual winner will go into a final play-off with the CONCACAF federation’s fourth-placed team.

Malacca (Malaysia) (AFP) – Australian players and media slammed the referee after Syria’s controversial late penalty dented their hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup following a 1-1 play-off draw in Malacca.

The Socceroos remain in the box seat ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in Sydney, where the eventual winner will go into a final play-off with the CONCACAF federation’s fourth-placed team.

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Australia head coach Ange Postecoglou cut a disappointed figure after their 3-2 opening Confederations Cup defeat to Germany, but expects the Socceroos to bounce back against Cameroon on Thursday.

Having been hammered 4-0 by Brazil in Melbourne last week in a friendly ahead of the tournament in Russia, Australia stumbled again, losing to the world champions, who fielded an inexperienced side on Monday in Sochi.

The Aston Villa midfielder pulled up sore after Australia’s 3-2 World Cup qualifier win over Saudi Arabia last week and coach Ange Postecoglou said with the Socceroos to play at least four games in 13 days an unfit Jedinak was too much of a risk.

The Aston Villa midfielder pulled up sore after Australia’s 3-2 World Cup qualifier win over Saudi Arabia last week and coach Ange Postecoglou said with the Socceroos to play at least four games in 13 days an unfit Jedinak was too much of a risk.

Adelaide (Australia) (AFP) – A spectacular long-range strike from Tom Rogic delivered Australia a crucial 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday to stay on track for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

The stylish midfielder reprised his match-winning exploits for Celtic in last month’s Scottish Cup final when he scored the Socceroos’ winner in the 64th minute.

Adelaide (Australia) (AFP) – A spectacular long-range strike from Tom Rogic delivered Australia a crucial 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday to stay on track for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

The stylish midfielder reprised his match-winning exploits for Celtic in last month’s Scottish Cup final when he scored the Socceroos’ winner in the 64th minute.

Sydney (AFP) Australia coach Ange Postecoglou on Wednesday named two uncapped midfielders and a handful of A-League players in an extended squad for their World Cup qualifier against Thailand, where cheering has been banned.

There was uncertainty about whether the game would go ahead after the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with fans advised to wear white, black or grey clothing.

Sydney (AFP) Australia coach Ange Postecoglou on Wednesday named two uncapped midfielders and a handful of A-League players in an extended squad for their World Cup qualifier against Thailand, where cheering has been banned.

There was uncertainty about whether the game would go ahead after the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with fans advised to wear white, black or grey clothing.

The Asian Cup kicked off in Melbourne on Friday with a goal-laden game between hosts Australia and Kuwait. One of the pre-tournament favorites, Australia, eventually ran out 4-1 winners but the scoreline didn't reflect some of the anxiety theSocceroos suffered throughout the 90 minutes.

Ange Postecoglu's side went behind early in the piece and it took the Aussies a little time to recover from the shock.

The Asian Cup kicked off in Melbourne on Friday with a goal-laden game between hosts Australia and Kuwait. One of the pre-tournament favorites, Australia, eventually ran out 4-1 winners but the scoreline didn't reflect some of the anxiety theSocceroos suffered throughout the 90 minutes.

Ange Postecoglu's side went behind early in the piece and it took the Aussies a little time to recover from the shock.

Sydney (AFP) – Coach Ange Postecoglou announced Wednesday that he will not take Australia to the World Cup next year, ending weeks of speculation about his future after a lengthy qualification campaign.

“After a great deal of thought and soul-searching, I’ve decided that the journey for me ends as Socceroo coach,” an emotional Postecoglou told a press conference in Sydney.

Melbourne (AFP) – Coach Ange Postecoglou says his team will hit the ground running in their arduous World Cup play-off against Syria, brushing aside frustration at failing to qualify automatically for Russia.

The Socceroos beat Thailand 2-1 in their final Asian qualifying Group B game on Tuesday, but with Saudi Arabia upsetting Japan 1-0 it consigned them to a dangerous two-leg play-off against the war-ravaged Syrians.